Aaron Rodgers: 'Forever'

Jen Lada, FOX 6, does a beautiful job of sharing a different side of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers that probably isn't very familiar to many fans.

Sure, we've spent hours and hours watching him play. We know his personality on the field. And we do have a feel for the sort of man he is off the field, through interviews and press conferences.

But there are things about our quarterback that I didn't know until I read Lada's article.

Back in May 2010, she relayed the story of an Aaron Rodgers charity event for the MACC Fund, Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer.

Lada writes:

Scattered throughout the crowd of rabid Packers aficionados were the people who I consider the event's real MVPs. They are the families who've been forced to deal with one of life's toughest sentences - the loss of a child. My interactions with these folks have always been touching, fulfilling and enlightening. Once, a family friend and the father of a teenage girl who passed away after a lengthy battle with the disease told me something that really resonated. Yes, his daughter's death was hard - an excruciating pain that can not be completely comprehended by anyone who's never been in that situation. But he also revealed that his daughter's memory didn't have to be the tragic tale of another countless cancer victim. Instead her legacy was much more joyful - as she was represented by all of the MACC Fund's survivors. The hundreds of thousands of other children who benefited from the research and findings his daughter's passing allowed. It was an unbelievably considerate and profound perspective in the midst of an otherwise heart-wrenching ordeal.

Those who sprung for the tickets were not disappointed. In a world where many athletes regurgitate canned and rehearsed responses, the Packers quarterback was refreshingly candid. Aaron addressed a number of topics with in-depth, honest reaction - even some that if reprinted and mass distributed might raise some eyebrows. Personally, I think a lot of the comments made should remain exclusive to those who made the effort to attend and support the MACC Fund's incredible cause but here are a few highlights/revelations....

I think Lada is right not to spill everything Rodgers had to say. She's doing a wonderful service if that encourages people to attend MACC Fund events.

Among the things she does mention:

---Aaron stressed the importance of availability and accountability.

---He is never nervous to take the field.

---He talked music and his love for tunes at a young age revealing that his mom used to sing and play lullabies and country music when he was a child.

---His favorite song is Ben Harper's 'Forever' and he's envious of John Mayer's guitar skills though not his tabloid reputation.

---He commented on his recent foray into the Twittersphere (@AaronRodgers12) - how he originally thought the social networking site was "stupid" but now he appreciates its role in communicating with his fans.

---His favorite book is The Bible and he tries to read it every day not just when life's challenges and struggles surface.

---His favorite movie is The Princess Bride which he admits he's caught flack for but says he and his childhood friends can recite every line from the film and it is simply a great story.

Interesting stuff.

I find the following part of Lada's article to be so touching:

Rodgers' answers and poise on this night were certainly admirable. And I honestly didn't think I could respect Aaron more than I did when we wrapped our hour-long question and answer segment. But I was wrong.

My friend, the father of that young girl who passed, was there that night - enjoying the opportunity to reconnect with many of his MACC Fund family members and revel in the charity's big night. He was one of several attendees brought up on stage where he caught a football thrown by the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. The evening was already a smashing success for him and his grateful family.

And then he asked Aaron to sign the football he'd caught. He wondered if he'd make it out to his daughter. It isn't shocking that Rodgers obliged. What caught me off guard was the dedication he made. It wasn't until after Aaron left that I first saw the autograph... and the simple yet sweet message that brought tears to this father's eyes: "To Cheri the angel. Save me a spot. - Aaron Rodgers"

What a beautiful message!

As Lada says, Packer fans are so lucky to have someone as impressive as Aaron Rodgers leading our team, "not only for his incredible talent but for his intelligence and honesty, poise and compassion."

I thank Jen Lada for sharing this story with us.

Something to consider: You don't have to be an elite NFL quarterback to support the MACC Fund or other charities and make a difference in people's lives.

You can help, too.